Pacific razor clamSiliqua patula
The Pacific razor clam (Siliqua patula) is an exceptionally meaty
shellfish which ranges from California to Alaska. It is abundant on
surf-pounded ocean beaches, but also occurs in sheltered areas along the
coast. Limited diving observations have indicated some adult razor
clams (S.patula) offshore for up to one-half mile. Razor clams
dredged in water deeper than 30 feet, although similar to the beach
clam, are a different species (Siliqua sloati). Washington razor clam season is open for 4 days beginning Dec. 6. (WDFW)

Half of Canada’s chinook salmon populations in decline: scientists
Half the country’s chinook salmon populations are endangered and most of
the rest are in decline, according to a science committee that monitors
the health of wildlife populations. The Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife In Canada reported Monday that of Canada’s 16
Chinook populations, eight are endangered, four are threatened and one
is considered of special concern. Only one, located in British
Columbia’s Thompson River, is considered stable. The condition of two
populations is unknown. Endangered is the committee’s most serious
ranking, suggesting the population is in danger of being wiped out. Bob
Weber reports. (Canadian Press)

Navy ends talks to ease Growler jet impacts on Whidbey Island historic district
The Navy has terminated talks with state and local groups about easing
the impacts of expanding EA-18G Growler jet training over a central
Whidbey Island historic district. A Navy statement Friday cited a
“fundamental difference of opinion” on what should be done to reduce the
noise and other adverse effects of the training flights. The breakdown
of talks is the latest sign of a bitter divide between the Navy and many
residents of the rural central part of the island who fiercely oppose
plans to quadruple, in the years ahead, the number of Growler flights
over the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. State officials also
took issue with the Navy. They joined with local groups in declining to
sign a proposed memorandum of agreement. Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle
Times)

A mournful plea: NEB pipeline hearing challenged on endangered whales
Tom Sampson, an elder with the Tsartlip First Nation, stood before the
National Energy Board last week and sang a prayer song in the language
his grandmother would sing when someone died. He was singing for
Tahlequah, a member of the J-Pod of killer whales, who this summer
carried her dead newborn calf in the waters off of southern Vancouver
Island for more than two weeks in an apparent display of grief. The
mother whale, part of the endangered southern resident killer whale
population, was delivering a message, he said: “Something is wrong with
what we are doing.” The NEB panel is reconsidering the Trans Mountain
expansion proposal, after the federal Court of Appeal overturned
Ottawa’s approval for the oil pipeline. Unlike the first hearings, the
plight of the whales is at the core of this review. Justine Hunter
reports. (Globe and Mail)

B.C. whale-watching group uses surcharge to boost salmon, orca research
A British Columbia whale-watching organization is boosting its passenger
surcharge to increase spending on science programs and salmon-recovery
projects for killer whale conservation. Prince of Whales Whale Watching
says the conservation fee charged to passengers will rise from $2 to $5
and will be aimed at supporting the endangered southern resident killer
whale population. The company says in a news release the added fee is
expected to generate more than $1 million over the next five years with
the money going towards orca-based science programs and chinook salmon
recovery projects, the preferred food of the resident whales. (Canadian
Press)

Busy beavers create salmon habitat in Kitsap
On a wooded stretch of Barker Creek, where the stream meanders past a
churchyard, water pools behind a dam not built by human hands. Beavers
are busy throughout the soggy gully. Tidy stacks of gnawed sticks divert
the flow of water in places, creating sprawling ponds. The stream banks
are littered with fallen trees, and the trunks of still-standing cedars
have been chewed nearly in half. In places like Barker, and other
creeks across the county, stream-watchers have noticed an uptick in
beaver activity this year, raising concern among some observers that the
natural barriers could block fish passages. A dry start to the fall
kept water levels low in many creeks, slowing the progress of salmon to
spawning grounds and making the beaver dams even more noticeable. Tad
Sooter reports. (Kitsap Sun)

10 sea lions confirmed shot in Puget Sound, and that number could grow
Another sea lion was shot in the Puget Sound, among at least 16 that
have died from “acute trauma” caused by humans since September.
Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said
Monday that a sea lion found dead earlier this month was confirmed via a
necropsy to have been shot. The findings bring the total number of sea
lions shot since early fall to at least 10. The actual number may be
higher, as decomposition sometimes impedes officials’ ability to
determine an animal’s cause of death. (KCPQ/Associated Press)

Stretch of Skagit riverfront permanently protected for fish, wildlife
A 1,500-footlong stretch of riverfront along the Skagit River near
Rockport, Skagit County, totaling 61 acres has been permanently
protected by Seattle City Light for fish and wildlife habitat. The land
connects to other protected parcels to create a wildlife corridor for
elk and other wildlife. Bald eagles fishing for salmon, all five species
of Pacific salmon, as well as steelhead, utilize this stretch of river.
Denise Krownbell, of City Light’s environment, land and licensing
business unit, said the utility closed on the property last month. The
utility tried to buy the property once before in 2012, Krownbell said,
but this time succeeded with grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding
Board. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Herrera Beutler Introduces Water Bill
A bill introduced by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground,
intends to accomplish what the Environmental Protection Agency has been
unable to do: repeal the Waters of the United States rule. "It is time
for Congress to provide permanent relief for Southwest Washington
farmers and landowners who would be so detrimentally impacted by this
devastating rule that would cost time, money and jobs," Herrera Beutler
said in a press release. The rule, also known as the Clean Water Rule,
was instituted in June 2015 under President Barack Obama. It was
suspended for two years in January. Katy Sword reports. (The Columbian)

Sewage spill prompts advisory for Silverdale waterfront
Health officials issued a no-contact advisory for the north end of Dyes
Inlet on Monday, following a sewage spill. The 2,500-gallon spill
occurred Saturday on Levin Road, near the mouth of Clear Creek,
according to Kitsap Public Health District. The advisory, which remains
in effect through Dec. 8, includes the north shore of Dyes Inlet from
Newberry Hill Road to Anna Smith Park. (Kitsap Sun)

State cleaning 100-year-old debris from south Puget Sound island
Washington state is spending $500,000 to remove 100-year-old debris from
an island in south Puget Sound. So far over 1,000 tons of debris
including creosote-soaked pilings have been removed from McNeil Island.
McNeil Island in Pierce County once had a school, prison, lumber mill,
and homes. Now the only residents on the six-square-mile island in
southern Puget Sound are the 200 sex offenders living in a special state
facility. But reminders of the island’s past can be found on its
beaches. Drew Mikkelson reports. (KING)

Esquimalt council to consider ban on single-use plastic bags
Esquimalt is the latest municipality following Victoria’s lead in taking
steps to ban single-use plastic bags at the checkout counter. A
proposal to be considered by Esquimalt councillors Monday evening
recommended the township develop a timeline, work plan and budget to
regulate the use of single-use bags (using Victoria’s bag bylaw as a
model), and prepare a public engagement process related to banning the
bags. Bill Cleverley reports. (Times Colonist)

What a sinking island can tell us about sea-level change and earthquakes
One of the most striking features of Santa Catalina Island, southwest of
Los Angeles, is an absence. Unlike much of the California coast and its
closest islands, Catalina lacks cliffs stepping up and back from the
sea – remnants of shorelines carved when the Pacific sloshed higher than
it does today and fault movements had yet to push this part of the
continent beyond the water’s reach. Instead, Catalina’s ancient beaches
lie hidden beneath the surf. Now, new research led by Stanford
University geophysicists explains why: while most islands in southern
California are inching upward, Catalina is sinking. Scientists have
debated whether Catalina is rising or sinking for more than 100 years.
As recently as 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey published a paper
concluding that the island was rapidly uplifting. “We’re directly
contrary to their results,” said Chris Castillo, a graduate student in
geophysics at Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental
Sciences (Stanford Earth) and lead author of the new paper. Josie
Garthwaite writes. (Stanford News Service)

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Salish Sea Communications provides communications and public relations services that raise visibility and engage audiences. Drawing on over 30 years experience in private, public and not-for-profit work, Mike Sato brings to you his skills and insights in developing and carrying out your print, electronic and social media projects and products. "I've been in the communications business since 1977 starting with community weekly newspapers then working for Seattle City Light, the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, Hawaiian Electric Company and, for 20 years, People For Puget Sound." Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told. WA State UBI #601395482